https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-520-Returning-to-the-Camp-for-Treasures/12918977/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-522-Stepping-on-the-Heavenly-Diagram/12918979/
Chapter 521: A Solemn Bow
Chapter 521: A Solemn Bow
What was supposed to be a lively homecoming celebration took a somber turn as the conversation shifted to the Extinct Village. The mere mention of this place cast a pall over the gathering, and even the wind outside seemed to turn colder, howling mournfully as if in mockery.
The atmosphere grew tense, and everyone present fell silent, their eyes filled with concern.
The Extinct Village was infamous within a hundred li radius as a place of sinister evil. Merely mentioning it could cause people's faces to pale in fear. Hu Ma had left the camp only three years ago, and he was still a young lad...
"Alright."
The Second Young Master, after a deep glance at Hu Ma, saw no signs of feigning strength or weakness in his expression. He made up his mind and said, "We shouldn't delay. Let's go now. It's safer not to send a messenger ahead in the dark."
"You should rest early tonight. Tomorrow morning, we'll go together, just the two of us."
"..."
Hu Ma was taken aback by the Second Young Master's words, but he smiled and said, "Second Young Master, I can move quickly, and I'm confident in dealing with what's there. You don't need to come with me..."
Before he could finish, the Second Young Master interrupted with a look of displeasure, "You may be fast, but I can run fast too."
"Besides, don't get cocky just because you've learned some tricks outside. I've spent my whole life at the Blood Food Mine, encountering more malevolent spirits than you've ever heard of. My experience surpasses yours."
"For such a big matter, shouldn't I go to help you keep watch?"
"..."
"Alright then..."
Seeing the Second Young Master's seriousness, Hu Ma could only smile wryly, feeling a peculiar sense of security.
After being away for so long, he rarely experienced this paternal feeling.
When the Elder Patriarch and the others saw the determination of the Second Young Master and Hu Ma, they became serious as well. That very night, the Elder Patriarch made a decision and sent someone to inform the young and strong men of the camp. The next morning, they would accompany Hu Ma.
For the past few years, the Old Sheepskin Elder had occasionally led people to the camp, and the Great Sheep Camp had a good relationship with Python Village. In times of need, they would lend a helping hand.
Initially planning to bring only the Second Young Master, Hu Ma was surprised to find himself surrounded by the camp's young and strong men the next day.
With so many people present, he couldn't very well use his Heaven-Measuring Boots' ability. Moreover, the camp's animals were unruly, so he had no choice but to join the group of villagers carrying manure forks and hoes, creating an imposing sight as if they were about to engage in a brawl.
Since they hadn't sent a messenger ahead, the Old Sheepskin Elder of Python Village was startled by the sudden arrival of a large group. He almost thought they were from a neighboring village coming to steal grain.
In a panic, he gathered all the able-bodied villagers, armed them, and went out to meet the group. When he realized it was the Great Sheep Camp, and Hu Ma was at the forefront, his emotions overwhelmed him, and he nearly burst into tears.
"Little Ancestor, great benefactor, I've been waiting for you..."
"..."
Hu Ma hurried forward and saw that the Old Sheepskin Elder seemed to have aged twenty years overnight. His face was deathly pale, and he needed support to walk. Beneath his skin, a chilling aura seemed to emanate.
Recalling the Second Young Master's words, Hu Ma understood what had happened.
The Old Sheepskin Elder had clearly been struggling to deal with the issues stemming from the Extinct Village, and the malevolent energy had taken a toll on him.
In theory, the Old Sheepskin Elder wasn't even a skilled practitioner. He only knew some ghost-exorcising methods.
These methods weren't taught by a master but were self-taught due to the village's proximity to the Extinct Village and the frequent encounters with strange occurrences.
Perhaps due to the relationship between the Zhen sui Hu Clan and ghost summoners, he held great respect for such people. He quickly took out a thumb-sized bloodstone from his sleeve and placed it in the Elder's hand, reassuring him, "Rest assured, I came here specifically for this matter."
Hearing these words, the Elder's heart raced with excitement.
Mistaking the bloodstone for fresh meat, he tried to refuse, "That's not necessary, we have some at home..."
'Your home probably doesn't have this...'
Hu Ma didn't elaborate and insisted on giving it to him. Then, leading the group, he headed toward the Extinct Village.
The Old Sheepskin Elder hurriedly joined the Second Young Master, following behind with his men. As they drew closer to the Extinct Village, Hu Ma showed no signs of preparation, causing both the Elder and the Second Young Master to worry.
However, they understood that Hu Ma had grown more powerful, and a sense of reverence for the young filled their hearts. They dared not question him but hurried to keep up.
Unbeknownst to them, the sky had grown dark, and a cold, eerie wind blew through the forest.
As they neared the Extinct Village, the forest became shrouded in a misty, dark atmosphere. Shadows flitted between the trees, their vague forms carrying an otherworldly air as they silently watched the group.
The young men from both villages grew increasingly fearful, and not a word was spoken.
Born and raised in the forest, they had encountered wandering spirits before.
But seeing so many together was rare, and the wind seemed to carry an even colder, sinister chill, swirling around them.
As if the life force within his body was about to be blown away.
When they were about to reach the Abandoned Village, about a mile away, Hu Ma's steps also came to a halt.
Turning to look back, he saw that the young men following him were starting to turn pale, clearly struggling to hold on. The Old Sheepskin Elder, who had been overwhelmed by the Yin energy earlier, was almost shrinking into a ball, relying on the Second Young Master to support him.
Compared to these young men, the Second Young Master seemed to be doing better. The foundation of his sixty years of cultivation was now shining through.
At this moment, he could have used the strength of these young men to counter the Yin energy emanating from the Abandoned Village.
All he needed to do was to dispel their fear and encourage their courage with words.
But Hu Ma had no intention of doing so. Instead, he turned to them and said, "Second Young Master, Old Sheepskin Elder, you lead the others and stay here. Find some open ground, light a fire, and if you have incense, light it. Offer any sacrifices you have."
"Let this distance be the boundary; don't get any closer."
"No matter what happens inside, don't pay any attention. Just wait for me to come out."
"..."
"Okay..."
The Second Young Master nodded tremblingly, quickly taking out a rope from behind him, two bundles, and asked, "Should I tie it?"
"If something happens, I'll pull you out."
"When you went in last time, the rope broke. This time, tie two ropes..."
"..."
"That won't be necessary."
Hu Ma shook his head with a smile and said, "Second Young Master, you don't need to worry about me. This time, I'm well-prepared."
After saying this, he turned around, and his cultivation surged, utilizing the power of the Three Incense Pillars. Facing the hazy forest filled with haunting shadows, he raised his hand to his ribs, and with a thunderous cry, he unleashed his power.
The resonance of his five viscera was like a bolt of lightning in a clear sky, and his Yang energy was formidable. The endless Yin wind and ghostly shadows around him instantly shattered into pieces.
Even the people in the camp were stunned, feeling a slight dizziness. As they watched Hu Ma's back, his figure seemed to blur.
Then, Hu Ma looked forward, channeling his inner strength, and bit the tip of his tongue. A mouthful of blood, accompanied by his fiery aura, sprayed forward.
To the living, this breath seemed long and profound, beyond the reach of ordinary people.
But to the spirits and malevolent entities in the passage, they saw a trail of blood-red flames burning straight ahead. Although they were still a mile away from the Abandoned Village, this trail of flames seemed to cut through the deep forest, creating a path.
Hu Ma lifted the hem of his robe and walked along this path towards the direction of the Abandoned Village.
Behind him, the Old Sheepskin Elder and the Second Young Master, hearing the commotion, turned pale with fear. The Second Young Master whispered, "Your... your little disciple, he must have learned divine abilities?"
"..."
The Second Young Master struggled to keep his composure. "I don't know what he learned outside..."
"But that Blood Sun Arrow just now, it seemed like what I taught him..."
"..."
The Blood Sun Arrow opened the path of darkness, and Hu Ma slowly walked towards the Abandoned Village, his emotions in turmoil.
After two years, he was returning to the Abandoned Village, and his feelings were different.
The first time he ventured into the village, he felt it was filled with ghosts, resentment, and evil spirits, making it difficult to deal with.
But now, he sensed that the village was not just filled with resentment and Yin energy; there was something even heavier mixed in. It was no wonder that even in the deep mountains, there were capable people, but none could solve the problem of the Abandoned Village, and they didn't dare to approach it.
Because they couldn't identify what it was, and using methods to dispel resentment and drive away evil spirits wouldn't solve the problem.
Of course, Hu Ma himself was now all too familiar with this energy; he even felt a sense of familiarity.
Because it was Wrathful Qi.
As Hu Ma got closer to the Abandoned Village, the rolling Yin wind carrying the Wrathful Qi began to gradually fill the path he had opened with the Blood Sun Arrow, even cutting towards him like an invisible blade.
Looking up, he could already see the Four Directions Sealing Stones at the entrance, and within the village, amidst the dark and depressing clouds, there were numerous towering figures, eerie and sinister.
The Vengeful Spirits that had been trapped in the Abandoned Village for so many years now seemed to sense something.
They slowly revealed themselves, unable to leave due to the Four Directions Sealing Stones, but their venomous gazes fixed on Hu Ma.
Being watched by countless dead spirits made the living feel uncomfortable, and even their vitality gradually weakened.
But Hu Ma, with his Mansion Entrance Ability and Four Pillar Proficiency, was unaffected.
He slowly approached the village, but instead of rushing in, he stopped outside and carefully observed the shifting Yin wind and evil spirits within. He looked at the towering and bizarre figures, took a deep breath, and slowly raised his hand, bowing deeply. His expression was solemn and dignified as he said in a low voice, "Zhen sui Hu Clan descendant Hu Ma, I have come to retrieve the treasure. With this bow, I thank all the villagers for safeguarding our clan's relics!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
